Things to do in London this weekend

Alistair McDowall hit upon a rich, dark seam of magical realism (or surrealism) with his last two plays, the audacious, Lovecraftian ‘Pomona’ and the brain-melting sci-fi ‘X’. The follow-up to ‘The Glow’ – which sees him reunite with ‘X’ director Vicky Featherstone – sounds like it will continue down that path: that is to say, it’ll be completely unpredictable. ‘The Glow’ is set in 1863, and follows a young woman with no memory who is plucked from an asylum to serve as the assistant to a spiritualist medium, a course of action which unlocks both her past and new powers. Fisayo Akinade, Rakie Ayola, Tadhg Murphy and Ria Zmitrowicz star.

The 19th edition of the BAFTA-affiliated London Short Film Festival comes to an end on Sunday, but not before a load more screenings across several cracking London cinemas. Our picks from the final few days include the ‘UK Blak Symposium’, an afternoon symposium of documentary films and panels featuring music, visuals and discussion around underground Black British music of the 80s and 90s at Rich Mix, and the ‘WTF: Outside the Box’ programme at the Rio, a range of out-there shorts showcasing the weird and wonderful imaginations of filmmakers and animators. Check out the full programme here.

Camden’s iconic circular arts venue The Roundhouse is once again hosting a varied selection of excellent music, dance and film across the sixth edition of its ‘In the Round’ festival this January, with a couple of fab-sounding picks on this weekend. After performing around the world, wowing audiences at Harry and Meghan’s wedding and being signed by Sony Music, The Kingdom Choir will be putting in an appearance on the circular stage on Saturday. Or if you’re more into dance music than gospel, you can catch Yung Singh in a Q&A alongside a screening of the documentary ‘The Birth of Punjabi Garage’, which charts the involvement of the South Asian diaspora in the Garage scene, and the whirlwind success of the hyped DJ and producer since his viral Boilerroom set last year. 

Body Movements Festival co-founder and trUst label head Saoirse is the latest hyped selector to take up residency at Brixton dance music venue Phonox this January. She’ll be playing until 4am every Friday throughout the month, with the odd special guest on the decks alongside her. Expect expertly curated mixes featuring a wide range of genres, including dub, house, jazz, electro, garage, techno, ambient, breaks and the odd cheeky surprise.

The National Theatre’s first big musical of the pandemic era, ‘Hex’ is an all-singing adaptation of the Sleeping Beauty myth written by NT artistic director Rufus Norris (on lyrics) and his wife Tanya Ronder (book) alongside Jim Fortune (music), with Norris directing. Norris emphatically knows his way around a musical, and the last show he and Ronder did for the NT – 2013’s ‘Table’ – was excellent, albeit a wildly different prospect. There’s also a terrific cast, headed by Rosalie Craig, Tamsin Carroll, Kat Ronney and Michael Elcock. It closes on Saturday, so book while you still can!

It’s never too late to get into the Veganuary spirit. For three days only, Levi Roots will be offering free vegan jerk chicken at a Shoreditch pop-up called The M***F*** Jerk Joint. You can choose to eat in or take away, but plan to arrive close to the 12pm opening time because once stocks are gone for the day, they’re gone.

It’s summer 1969. Man has just walked on the moon and the British Army has just marched on to the streets of north Belfast. Star Trek-mad nine-year-old Buddy (Jude Hill), who uses goals painted to the walls to emulate his footballing hero Danny Blanchflower, soon finds armed Tommies patrolling his old penalty box. Reading his beloved comics outside his terraced house is suddenly fraught with hazard, not least from the broken glass left by sectarian rioting. Possibly the most uplifting film ever made about a time of unending violence, Kenneth Branagh’s ‘Belfast’ comes with a bruised heart and an unquenchable spirit of optimism. Like its young hero, it keeps its eyes on the stars even as the hell of the Troubles breaks out in its midst.

The Southbank Centre’s experimental gig series The Purcell Sessions returns for 2022, a range of acclaimed artists the opportunity to perform boundary-pushing, multi-disciplinary and collaborative work within the intimate setting of the Purcell Room in Queen Elizabeth Hall. London-born electronic producer Iglooghost will be the next artist to take to the stage, performing his latest ethereal album this Saturday alongside an installation made by the enigmatic musician himself. 

Amorphous Sounds, the record label that champions female and non-binary artists, has curated three spectacular events that explore intersectionality, gender politics, vocal traditions and intimacy through music. The series of live concerts include performances from the label’s incredible artists, including Laura Groves, Fran Lobo, Blood Moon Project, Auclair, Miryam Solomon, Evadney, Deep Throat Choir, and Nouria Bah. 

Everyman’s intimate Islington venue Screen on the Green is a cracking little cinema, programming plenty of interesting film programmes and special events. Now, to mark the release of Guillermo del Toro’s ‘Nightmare Alley’, the diminutive Upper Street kino is hosting its first ever immersive cinema experience. For three nights only during the film’s opening weekend, ticket holders will be able to step right into the sinister underbelly of the 1940s American carnival which forms the setting for del Toro’s noir-inspired psychological thriller. We’re talking circus performances, a live band and themed cocktails and bites to enjoy while watching the film, starring Bradley Cooper and Cate Blanchett. 1940s attire is encouraged!

Chinese New Year might not arrive until next week, but if you’re keen to start celebrating early (and thus cram in as many delicious Chinese feasts as possible) this walking tour of central London’s Chinatown is a good way to kick things off. China Exchange will be leading the two and half hour guided tour, where you’ll step back in time as you ramble around nine streets and four gates, celebrate this unique part of London and learn more about its interesting heritage. And afterwards, you’ll be rewarded for your efforts with a delicious traditional Chinese lunch served family-style. We promised there’d be plenty of feasting!

The jugglers, circus people and clowns are on their way to London. Back to being a live event this year, the London International Mime Festival features a wide variety of shows, from dance to puppetry. See classic stories reimagined and also exclusive international films.

Check out the Gandini Juggling performance, an original show featuring contemporary juggling and music coming to Sadler's Wells Theatre, January 12 to 15. Also from January 26 through 29 at The Peacock is one of Britian's most popular circus companies Barely Methodical Troupe, who complete powerful acrobatics in their show 'Kin'. Another highlight is 'What Do You See?' which celebrates identity through a mixture of song, movement and costume at Shoreditch Town Hall, January 19 to 23.

The festival is also hosting workshops so you can work on your own clown skills. Times and venues vary, so see the London International Mime Festival website for a complete schedule.

London’s vegan scene has gone from strength to strength over the last few years, with plant-based offerings expanding from processed meat-free junk food and ultra-healthy grain salad bowls to innovative dishes from around the world that deserve to be celebrated. Now, vegans have more eating options than ever in the capital, and even the most veg-phobic carnivores can eschew meat, dairy, eggs and honey knowing that the city will provide amazing alternatives. Don’t know where to start? Check out our bucket list of the best vegan dishes from London restaurants, including a luscious dessert, a pick-and-mix Caribbean feast, a mouth-widening, veg-packed sandwich and a cracking plant-based version of a Chinese classic. Eating your greens never tasted so good.

RECOMMENDED: Veg out at the city’s best vegan restaurants.